Self-guided Sightseeing Tour #12 in Des Moines, United States

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Nature
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Historical
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Tour Facts

Number of sights 8 sights
Distance 4.9 km
Ascend 279 m
Descend 277 m

Experience Des Moines in United States in a whole new way with our self-guided sightseeing tour. This site not only offers you practical information and insider tips, but also a rich variety of activities and sights you shouldn't miss. Whether you love art and culture, want to explore historical sites or simply want to experience the vibrant atmosphere of a lively city - you'll find everything you need for your personal adventure here.

Individual Sights in Des Moines

Sight 1: Southeast Water Trough

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The Southeast Water Trough is a historic structure located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It is one of the last of 15 National Humane Alliance fountains that were placed around the city by the Iowa Humane Alliance. They were also named Ensign fountains after the founder of the National Humane Alliance, Hermon Lee Ensign. This was one of two placed in Des Moines in 1906.

Wikipedia: Southeast Water Trough (EN), Heritage Website

1081 meters / 13 minutes

Sight 2: Des Moines Western Railway Freight House

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The Des Moines Western Railway Freight House, also known as the Des Moines, Iowa Falls & Northern Railroad Freight House, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Built between 1902 and 1903 by local contractor William H. Brererton, this two-story brick building features a low-pitched, side gable roof. It was built as a railroad freight house for F.M. Hubbell and the Des Moines Western Railway, which was an attempt to link the city and points west, but it never made it beyond the city limits. It is now a rare example of a once common building type in the city. The building was leased to the Des Moines, Iowa Falls, and Northern Railroad (DMIF&N), another Hubbell venture. An interurban line, the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railroad (FtDDM&S), acquired the DMIF&N and continued to use this freight house for that purpose as they carried a high volume of freight. The building has been remodeled three times. The first was when part of it was converted by the FtDDM&S into an interurban passenger depot in 1933. The second time was when it was converted into a restaurant in the 1980s. The third time was its conversion into an office building, which is what it is today. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

Wikipedia: Des Moines Western Railway Freight House (EN), Heritage Website

992 meters / 12 minutes

Sight 3: Court Avenue Bridge

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Court Avenue Bridge

The Court Avenue Bridge is a historic structure located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It became a contributing property in the Civic Center Historic District in 1988, and was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 15, 1998 as a part of the Highway Bridges of Iowa MPS.

Wikipedia: Court Avenue Bridge (EN), Heritage Website

650 meters / 8 minutes

Sight 4: Science Center of Iowa

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The Science Center of Iowa is a science museum located in Des Moines, Iowa.

Wikipedia: Science Center of Iowa (EN), Website

322 meters / 4 minutes

Sight 5: Harbach Lofts

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The L. Harbach and Sons Furniture Warehouse and Factory Complex, also known as the Way-Helms Co. & Red Cross Mattress, L. Ginsberg & Sons wholesale furniture warehouse, and the A.A. Schneiderhahn electronic appliances warehouse, is a historic building located in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. This is actually two adjacent buildings completed in 1906. Their significance is their successive ownership by three prominent furniture retailers/wholesalers. L. Harbach & Sons Co. was one of Iowa's largest furniture wholesalers, and they manufactured furniture in Des Moines for more than seventy years. The company was established in 1856 by Louis Harbach, Sr. Louis had immigrated from Germany in 1850 at the age of 12. A catalog of their furniture is available at the National Museum of America. L. Harbach & Sons occupied this complex from 1906 to 1928. One of the buildings was their factory and the other was their warehouse. The Harbach family sold the business around 1920 to the Davidson family, who continued to use the Harbach name until through 1928, and continued to own the building until 1952. They leased the buildings to Way-Helms Co. & Red Cross Mattress for a short time, and then beginning in 1930, to the Ginsberg family. Both the Davidsons and the Ginsbergs owned local furniture stores. The Ginsbergs acquired the buildings from the Davisons and they owned them until 1985. They altered the building as trucks replaced trains as the main mode of transportation for furniture warehousing and distribution. The buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Wikipedia: L. Harbach and Sons Furniture Warehouse and Factory Complex (EN), Heritage Website

199 meters / 2 minutes

Sight 6: Hubbell Warehouse

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The Hubbell Warehouse is an historic building located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.

Wikipedia: Hubbell Warehouse (EN), Heritage Website

631 meters / 8 minutes

Sight 7: Southwest Fifth Street Bridge

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Southwest Fifth Street Bridge

The Southwest Fifth St. Bridge is a historic structure located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, United States. Built in 1898 after a controversy surrounding the bidding process, it is one of the last Pratt through truss bridges left in an urban setting in Iowa. The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 as a part of the Highway Bridges of Iowa MPS.

Wikipedia: Southwest Fifth St. Bridge (EN), Heritage Website

993 meters / 12 minutes

Sight 8: Saint Anthony's Church

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St. Anthony's Catholic Church is a Catholic parish church in the Diocese of Des Moines located on the south side of Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.

Wikipedia: St. Anthony's Catholic Church (Des Moines, Iowa) (EN)

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Disclaimer Please be aware of your surroundings and do not enter private property. We are not liable for any damages that occur during the tours.

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